East Texas Pharmacists, Students Learn about Legislative Advocacy

On November 28, Texas Pharmacy Association CEO Debbie Gaza, R.Ph., traveled to Tyler to meet with pharmacy students at UT Tyler’s Fisch College of Pharmacy. TPA Member and Professor Dr. Lizzie Cook invited Garza to be a guest lecturer on the importance of professional involvement and advocacy for the first-year pharmacy students.

Garza shared her pharmacy journey and how it’s been powered by purpose. She discussed why students should be engaged in advocating for their profession not only with elected officials, but also within their community and with other health professionals. She left the students inspired with her Seven Habits of Highly Effective Leaders.

“The future is bright for our profession, but we do have to create the legislative and regulatory environment so we can practice at the top of our education and training,” said Garza.

CEO Debbie Garza with P1 students at the UT-Tyler Ben and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy.

That evening, Garza conducted a TPA Town Hall for the Greater East Texas Pharmacy Association’s (GETPA) November meeting and discussed how every pharmacist's voice is vital to the future of the pharmacy profession. She shared TPA’s focus on member engagement and communications, discussed priorities for the upcoming 2019 legislative session, and the innovative practice initiatives underway paying pharmacists for services.

“It’s always fun when TPA goes local and gets to meet with our local affiliates and members on their home turf. I love hearing from them firsthand,” Garza said. Special thanks to TPA Board Member and GETPA President Ben Sims for coordinating the event and TPA Member and Dean Lane Brunner of UT Tyler College of Pharmacy for hosting and attending the event.

GETPA members pose making a "V" formation to express that their voice is vital to their profession.